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Marxian Socialism must always remain a portent to the historians of Opinion - how a doctrine so illogical and so dull can have exercised so powerful and enduring an influence over the minds of men, and, through them, the events of history.
Originally posted by retirednature
Although socialism may be widely interpreted, the means and results are clear. Regardless of which group of individuals that are given ownership over of the means of production... socialism is systematically conducive towards the plight of entrepreneurship that is the cornerstone of growing economies.
Originally posted by ANOK
Originally posted by retirednature
Although socialism may be widely interpreted, the means and results are clear. Regardless of which group of individuals that are given ownership over of the means of production... socialism is systematically conducive towards the plight of entrepreneurship that is the cornerstone of growing economies.
Not really the point of the thread, but that is nonsense. Socialism does not give groups of individuals ownership over the means of production. It is the common ownership of the means of production. The whole point being is no one group of people can monopolise the means to produce, and use it to exploit people who do not own the means to produce. One form of exploitation is no better than another. Why would socialists want to replace exploitation with exploitation?
Only capitalist economies are stuck with the dilemma of constant growth, and the need to make and maintain profits. Socialism is a needs based economy, not profit and growth based. It is simply a myth that markets have to grow, or even exist at all, outside of capitalism it is unnecessary.
This is nothing but the right-wing trying to imply their authoritarianism exists in all economic systems, which is simply not true.
Originally posted by retirednature
How do you think a Socialist economy is instated, maintained, and insured to be sustainable?
Government
Socialism is absolutely statism!!!
Libertarian Socialism is a term essentially synonymous with the word "Anarchism". Anarchy, strictly meaning "without rulers", leads one to wonder what sort of system would exist in place of one without state or capitalist masters... the answer being a radically democratic society while preserving the maximal amount of individual liberty and freedom possible.
Libertarian Socialism recognizes that the concept of "property" (specifically, the means of production, factories, land used for profit, rented space) is theft and that in a truly libertarian society, the individual would be free of exploitation caused by the concentration of all means of wealth-making into the hands of an elite minority of capitalists.
Many people believe that socialism means government or state ownership and control. Who can blame them when that is what the schools teach and what the media, politicians and others who oppose socialism say? Worse, some people and organizations that call themselves socialist say it, too—but not the Socialist Labor Party.
Under socialism the workers who operate the industries and services would collectively own and democratically manage them.
Leaders in the sustainability movement believe that the most promising economic development strategy available may be a focus on economic justice. This would reduce poverty and increase tax revenues, strengthen democracy and the sense of a shared future, reduce the tax burden for social services, and increase support for investments in education and public infrastructure. All of these are part of a viable and sustainable local economy.
Worker cooperatives can be an important tool in this strategy. According to the Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland, cooperatives can create a green and just economy by building community wealth “in which ownership is broadly shared, locally rooted, and directed toward the common good. Worker cooperatives are businesses owned and democratically controlled by their workers.
Employee ownership and cooperative enterprises save jobs and companies, anchor capital locally, benefit local economies and create new wealth for employee owners. In addition, employee-owned companies improve job security while increasing productivity and enhancing employee motivation, making Ohio’s and the nation’s economies stronger.
“Employee-owned businesses are generally more profitable, more productive and help to stabilize the local economy,” says Steve Clem, senior program coordinator for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center. “Just as important, employee-owned firms aren’t likely to move offshore.”
Originally posted by ANOK
You do realise that anarchists are socialists right? If socialism required government anarchists would not be socialists.
"Politically we are anarchists, and economically, communists or socialists." Adolph Fischer, Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis as Defined by Some of its Apostles (1887)
Socialism is absolutely statism!!!
No it isn't!!! Anarchists are socialists!!!
"Anarchism is stateless socialism" Mikhail Bakunin
You can beat that bush all day you would still be wrong.
Why do you think Anarchists call themselves 'Libertarian Socialists'?